Iran's Protest-Related Death Toll and Government Crackdown Escalate
Jan, 13 2026
The U.S.-based Human Rights Activists News Agency confirmed 2,403 deaths, including 12 children, and reported over 18,400 arrests since the protests began. The Iranian government has faced criticism for its heavy-handed approach, which includes deploying the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) to establish checkpoints and block access to several cities in western Iran. Reports indicate that IRGC forces are conducting vehicle searches and compelling citizens to unlock their mobile devices, while heavy military equipment has been deployed in border regions, disrupting daily life.
In a concerning development, the Iranian government has implemented a near-total communications blackout, cutting off internet and telephone services. This has severely limited access to information, with only satellite television available, albeit heavily jammed. The UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Volker Türk, has expressed alarm over the escalating violence against peaceful protesters and emphasized the need for the Iranian government's acknowledgment of the populace's demands for fairness and justice.
Estimates of the death toll vary widely, with the U.S.-based rights organization HRANA confirming 646 deaths, including 505 active protesters. Other sources, such as Iran International, suggest that over 12,000 individuals may have died, marking this as potentially the largest killing in Iran's contemporary history. The ongoing communications restrictions have hindered independent verification of events, and the figures reported are considered minimum estimates.
Despite the government's crackdown and communication restrictions, protests have continued, with demonstrators gathering in significant locations, such as Behesht-e Zahra cemetery, to voice their dissent. Reports indicate that security forces have deliberately fired upon protesters, further escalating the situation. The Iranian authorities have detained at least 10,721 individuals, with reports of forced confessions emerging from government-affiliated media. The situation remains fluid and continues to evolve amid widespread unrest.